The War Chief of the Six Nations eBook

Notwithstanding the gay round of entertainment in
which he joined, Brant had been attending to the business
matters that had brought him to England. He had
sent a letter relative to the affairs of the Six Nations
to Lord Sydney, the secretary of state for Colonial
Affairs, and he delivered a speech upon the same topic
in Sydney’s presence. He told him of the
losses sustained by the Indians, and hoped that a
speedy settlement would be made with them by the British
government. ’On my mentioning these matters,
since my arrival in England,’ wrote Brant, ’I
am informed that orders are given that this shall be
done; which will give great relief and satisfaction
to those faithful Indians, who will have spirit to
go on, and their hearts [will] be filled with gratitude
for the King, their father’s, kindness.’

Just before leaving for America, Brant received a
letter from Lord Sydney saying that King George desired
that the red men should receive justice. ‘His
Majesty,’ said Sydney, ’in consideration
of the zealous and hearty exertions of his Indian
allies in the support of his cause, and as a proof
of his friendly disposition toward them, has been
graciously pleased to consent that the losses already
certified by the Superintendent-General shall be made
good.’

CHAPTER XIII

STATESMAN OF THE TRIBES

When Brant appeared again in the open councils of
his people, he found the red men still in a fretful
mood. The Treaty of Fort Stanwix was a source
of constant aggravation to them. The white settlers
were pressing over their frontiers so boldly that
the Indians felt that their lands must sooner or later
slip from their grasp. England feared an outbreak
of war, and the Indians believed that in such a case
she would aid them. A proof of this was the manner
in which she was keeping garrisons in the western
posts which she had agreed to surrender. It is
now conceded that this was done because the United
States had failed to live up to its pledges.
Be that as it may, Joseph Brant was expected in case
of hostilities to organize the strong league of native
races that he had planned to form.

In November 1786 a great council of Indian tribes
was held at Huron Village, on the Detroit river.
This was well attended, and its deliberations were
very grave. An address, probably written by Brant,
was sent by order of the assembled Indians to the
Congress of the United States. Peace was desired,
but it would be necessary for the Congressional representatives
to treat with the redskins as a whole; difficulties
had been engendered because the United States had
entered into negotiations with separate tribes—­’kindled
council-fires wherever it saw fit’—­without
ever deigning to consult the Indians as a whole; this,
affirmed the address, must happen no longer.